Bike4Alz, a nonprofit started by fraternity members at Western Kentucky University, is hosting a fundraiser as this year’s team passes through Lexington during their annual ride from San Francisco, California, to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Each year Bike4Alz rides coast-to-coast raising funds for Alzheimer’s disease research and support services. During the cross-country trek, the team makes stops to host fundraisers, raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and simply connect with the communities.
This year’s team consists of 12 riders. All are Western Kentucky students, members of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), and committed their summer breaks to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The group started its journey on May 21 in San Francisco, with the goal of reaching Virginia Beach by July 28. The stop in Lexington marks the 2,850-mile mark of the group’s 3,952-mile journey and is a significant location for its mission.
Lexington is home to UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, an international leader in Alzheimer’s disease research and one of only 37 designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers in the US. Bike4Alz makes direct grants to Sanders-Brown and has donated funds from its summer-long ride for the past few years. The group’s board recently voted to donate $75,000 this year to Sanders-Brown to support the center’s research programs.
“Bike4Alz is dedicated to eliminating Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Our Kentucky-based nonprofit is lucky to have a world-class Alzheimer's disease research center in our backyard in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging," said Cameron Hamilton, a Bike4Alz alumni and current board member. “We’re thrilled to work with their scientists to identify areas of need in their research that let us maximize the impact of our fundraising dollars. We know that the Sanders-Brown team will leverage our efforts to bring us all closer to a cure.”
Members of Sanders-Brown have enjoyed getting to know the group of inspired college students, hosting them each of the past few years for a tour of lab spaces and to update the students on ongoing research efforts.
"Bike4Alz’s commitment and generosity are truly inspiring. Their dedication not only raises critical funds for Alzheimer’s research but also brings hope to countless families affected by this devastating disease,” said Linda Van Eldik, PhD, director of UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. “We are deeply grateful for their continued support and partnership. The donation will significantly bolster our efforts to advance research and move closer to defeating this disease. Together, we can make a profound impact on the fight against Alzheimer’s.”
To honor the Bike4Alz students’ journey so far and to celebrate all the great work going on at Sanders-Brown, Bike4Alz is hosting a fundraiser during its stop in Lexington. The students are inviting anyone interested in learning more about what they do and to support their efforts to join them at a shrimp boil 6 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Cherokee Park. All proceeds from the shrimp boil will go toward Alzheimer’s research.